August 23, 2008

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson were introduced to each other by young Stamford during the events recorded as A Study in Scarlet (SCAR). Here is part of the memorable conversation from Holmes and Watson’s first meeting, at Bart’s:

“ . . . It’s just as well for two fellows to know the worst of one another before they begin to live together.”

I laughed at this cross-examination. “I keep a bull pup,” I said, “and I object to rows because my nerves are shaken, and I get up at all sorts of ungodly hours, and I am extremely lazy. I have another set of vices when I’m well, but those are the principal ones at present.”

No-one knows exactly what happened to the bull pup, which was never heard from again. We at McMurdo’s Camp believe Watson gave it to Stamford’s nephew’s family, who lived down near Lewes.

If you are a follower of Sherlock Holmes, you got to know Watson quite well from events that took place over the next 30 years. Who would be interested in cataloging Watson’s set of vices when he was well? What do you think he would have confessed to under this self-imposed cross-examination had he not been recovering from both a serious injury and a serious disease at the time?

Interested readers are encouraged to participate. Click on “Comments” below and let us know what you think. Your e-mail address will not be published. (WordPress is set up this way to encourage participation.)

The Question: How do you think Dr. Watson would have described the set of vices he had when he was well? McMurdo’s Camp will catalog and publish any suggestions (barring the obscene or trivial).